Centre College students invited to VP debate

“About 6:30 this morning I got a text message that said, ‘Please respond right now.’ So I did that and I've been up ever since,” said Parker Lawson.

Lawson was just hoping to enjoy one day with his college directly in the national spotlight.

He never thought he'd actually be inside the building for the vice presidential debate.

He is one of only about 700 people given that privilege.

“It's all a whirlwind right now, but once I sit down tonight I think it'll really set in that I'm watching live a debate that will be broadcast to over 70 million people around the world,” Lawson said.

Centre College found out Wednesday that about 100 students would be allowed into the debate and that those highly coveted spots would be allotted through a lottery.

Lawson was drawn No. 103 as an alternate and on Thursday morning a seat opened up.

“We did 25 alternates and I was fortunate to be one of those alternates who's getting in so I'm really excited,” Lawson said.

Lawson said he's most excited about the spontaneity and unpredictability that embodies big-time debates.

“The opportunity tonight is that nobody knows what's going to happen, so the opportunity to just be there and see how funny Vice President Biden will be or how aggressive Congressman Ryan will be,” Lawson said.

His one hope is for a Centre College trademark.

“I hope there is a culture of civility in tonight's debate,” Lawson said.

"I'm glad that people are interested. Sometimes I feel that I'm alone in all my worries. I am glad they're here," said Tom Lyons, who drove from Louisville for the debate. "This is very cool, very unique, awesome."

The cold almost kept Indiana resident McCauley Dotson away, but he said you just don't get to do something like this every day.

"I think it's a very unique experience to be actually here to see it live instead of just seeing it at home, it's a different perspective," said Dotson.